Toy kit for simulating a thematic food environment in a bathtub

ABSTRACT

A bathing toy kit system for use in a bathtub, the bathing toy kit system includes a bathing fluid and a plurality of buoyant decorative play elements for use in the bathing fluid. Each of the decorative play elements is structurally independent of each other element, and has a subject matter relationship to one another to create a predetermined thematic environment in the bathing fluid. A water tinting material colors the water as appropriate to the thematic environment. An aromatic material produces an aroma consistent with the predetermined thematic environment. The decorative play elements are formed of any combination of buoyant floating toys, soap, bubble bath, sponges, fizz-producing materials, and loofa. They are configured in the appearance of vegetables, pasta, insects, human organs, or alphanumeric characters, and are packaged in a reusable and container having openings to provide airflow.

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/191,832, filed Sep. 11, 2008. The disclosure of this provisional patent application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to toys for bathtub play, and more particularly, to a toy kit for simulating a thematic food environment in a bathtub.

2. Description of the Related Art

Parents frequently use toys to amuse young children while in the bathtub and to make the experience more pleasant so as to make the child less resistant to bathing and/or to make the child look forward to the bath.

Floating toys, such as boats and rubber ducks, are well known. However, it has not heretofore been known to provide floating toys and bathing accessories, that create a food environment in the tub, in other words, that convert the tub to a giant bowl or soup, for example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a bathing toy kit system for use in a bathtub, the bathing toy kit system. The system includes a bathing fluid that is provided by the user, and a plurality of decorative play elements for use in the bathing fluid. Each of the decorative play elements is structurally independent of each other such element, and has a subject matter relationship to one another to create a predetermined thematic environment in the bathing fluid.

In a practicable embodiment of the invention, the bathing fluid is water, and there is further provided a water tinting material for coloring the water to a color appropriate to the predetermined thematic environment in the bathing fluid.

In a further embodiment, wherein the bathing fluid is water, there is further provided an aromatic material for producing an aroma consistent with the predetermined thematic environment in the bathing fluid.

Preferably, the decorative play elements are arranged to be buoyant in the bathing fluid.

The decorative play elements are formed of a selectable combination of buoyant floating toys, soap, bubble bath, sponges, fizz-producing materials, and loofa.

In one embodiment of the invention, the decorative play elements are configured in the appearance of vegetables.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the decorative play elements are configured in the appearance of pasta. In this embodiment, there is optionally further provided a further decorative play element in the form of a ladle. There is further optionally provided a decorative play element in the form of a strainer. In some embodiments, the further decorative play element in the form of a ladle is non-buoyant in the bathing fluid. Similarly, the further decorative play element in the form of a strainer is non-buoyant in the bathing fluid.

In a still further embodiment of the invention, the decorative play elements are configured in the appearance of insects. This configuration of insect-shaped elements constitutes a witches' brew theme, and accordingly, there is optionally provided a further decorative play element in the form of a stirring stick. In some embodiments of the invention, the stirring stick is non-buoyant in the bathing fluid.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the decorative play elements are configured in the appearance of human organs.

In still further embodiments, the decorative play elements are configured in the appearance of alphanumeric characters.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a toy kit for simulating a thematic environment in a bathtub, and in particular, a thematic food environment. A plurality of toys and/or bathing accessories and products, related to the theme are packaged in a collectible, reusable and water-friendly container simulating a can, such as a soup can. Illustratively, the can is plastic, such as polystyrene. In some preferred embodiments, the can is also provided with openings to provide airflow so that wet toys and accessories can be stored in the container following play.

The thematic toys and/or bathing accessories and products include, without limitation, buoyant floating toys, soap, bubble bath, sponges, loofa, and the like, in the form of “ingredients” relating to the theme of the food product being simulated in the bathtub.

In one example, the theme is soup. In particular illustrative embodiments, the soup comprises chicken soup, clam chowder, vegetable soup or alphabet soup.

In a chicken soup embodiment, for example, the “ingredients” packaged in the can, comprise assorted toys, preferably buoyant, such as plastic vegetables, illustratively carrot and celery chunks, chicken, and noodles. Additional toy implements, that may or may not be buoyant, are also provided. These could include a soup ladle and a strainer. Of course, some or all of the toys could be made of sponge, or other materials suitable for use in a bath environment.

In addition to the foregoing, bath products, such as soap or bubble bath, can be provided that, for example, color the water yellow with a non-toxic, dye that does not stain skin and/or wash cloths or bath towels. In some embodiments, the bath products can be provided with a “soup” aroma relating to the theme.

Obviously, other themes can be created with thematically-related “ingredients.” For instance, vegetable soup can include a wider variety of “vegetables” and alphabet soup can include buoyant “pasta” letters. The alphabet soup embodiment of the present invention has additional play value insofar as sufficient alphabet letters can be provided in some embodiments to permit the child to form words.

In another example of a thematic environment, the theme is a witches brew. The “ingredients” packaged in the can of witches brew illustratively include assorted buoyant toys in the form of assorted insects, lizards, frogs, snakes, and eyeballs. Additional toy implements, that may or may not be buoyant, include a stirring stick. Of course, some or all of the toys could be made of sponge or other materials suitable for use in a bath environment. In this particular example, a sponge simulating the form of a brain, would fit well with the theme.

In the witches brew embodiment, the included bath products, could include products such as a such a “bug juice” bubble bath that is colored green and/or is fluorescent to fit into the theme. Fizzy tablets, of the type that include bath salts, can be included to color the water blue, yellow, or green, for example. Again, the coloration is accomplished with a non-toxic dye that does not stain skin and/or wash cloths or bath towels.

It is contemplated that the bath accessories and products that are consumable can be acquired individually for replenishment of the inventive kit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Comprehension of the invention is further facilitated by reading the description above, in conjunction with the annexed drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a representation of various toy insects, sponges, and eyeballs that are useful in a witch's brew embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a representation of the top of the packaging of a specific illustrative embodiment of the witch's brew kit;

FIG. 3 is a representation of the packaging of a chicken noodle embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a representation of the packaging of a witch's brew embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a representation of some of the contents of a chicken noodle embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a representation of promotional literature for the invention

FIG. 7 is a representation of a portion of a label for use in conjunction with a chicken noodle soup embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a representation of a portion of a label for use in conjunction with a chicken soup embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a representation of a portion of a label for use in conjunction with a witch's brew embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a representation of a portion of a label for use in conjunction with the witch's/brew embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a representation of various toy insects, sponges, and eyeballs that are useful in a witch's brew embodiment of the invention. There is additionally shown a stirring stick shaped consistent with a Halloween or witch's brew theme.

FIG. 2 is a representation of the top of the packaging of a specific illustrative embodiment of the witch's brew kit. As shown, the top of the packaging is decorated in a manner consistent with the predetermined theme.

FIG. 3 is a representation of the packaging of a chicken noodle embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a representation of the packaging of a witch's brew embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a representation of some of the contents of a chicken noodle embodiment. As shown in this figure, there are provided in this specific illustrative embodiment of the invention a strainer and a ladle. In some embodiments of the invention, these decorative play elements are not bouyant.

FIG. 6 is a representation of promotional literature for the invention. This figure additionally shows thematic bubble bath that will, in some embodiments of the invention, color the bathing water (not shown) in a manner consistent with the theme.

FIG. 7 is a representation of a portion of a label for use in conjunction with a chicken noodle soup embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a representation of a portion of a label for use in conjunction with a chicken soup embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a representation of a portion of a label for use in conjunction with a witch's brew embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a representation of a portion of a label for use in conjunction with the witch's/brew embodiment of the invention. The description of the contents of this specific illustrative embodiment of the invention indicate that there is provided a tinting material for the bath water, and fizz-producing tablet(s).

Although the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments and applications, persons skilled in the art may, in light of this teaching, generate additional embodiments without exceeding the scope or departing from the spirit of the invention described herein. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawing and description in this disclosure are proffered to facilitate comprehension of the invention, and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof. 

1. A bathing toy kit system for use in a bathtub, the bathing toy kit system comprising: a bathing fluid; and a plurality of decorative play elements for use in the bathing fluid, each of said decorative play elements being structurally independent of one another and having a subject matter relationship to one another to create a predetermined thematic environment in said bathing fluid.
 2. The bathing toy kit system of claim 1, wherein said bathing fluid is water, and there is further provided a water tinting material for coloring the water to a color appropriate to the predetermined thematic environment in said bathing fluid.
 3. The bathing toy kit system of claim 1, wherein said bathing fluid is water, and there is further provided an aromatic material for producing an aroma consistent with the predetermined thematic environment in said bathing fluid.
 4. The bathing toy kit system of claim 1, wherein said decorative play elements are arranged to be buoyant in said bathing fluid.
 5. The bathing toy kit system of claim 1, wherein said decorative play elements are formed of a selectable combination of buoyant floating toys, soap, bubble bath, sponges, fizz-producing materials, and loofa.
 6. The bathing toy kit system of claim 1, wherein said decorative play elements are configured in the appearance of vegetables.
 7. The bathing toy kit system of claim 1, wherein said decorative play elements are configured in the appearance of pasta.
 8. The bathing toy kit system of claim 7, wherein there is further provided a further decorative play element in the form of a ladle.
 9. The bathing toy kit system of claim 7, wherein there is further provided a further decorative play element in the form of a strainer.
 10. The bathing toy kit system of claim 8, wherein said further decorative play element in the form of a ladle is non-buoyant in the bathing fluid.
 11. The bathing toy kit system of claim 1, wherein said decorative play elements are configured in the appearance of insects.
 12. The bathing toy kit system of claim 11, wherein there is further provided a further decorative play element in the form of a stirring stick.
 13. The bathing toy kit system of claim 12, wherein said further decorative play element in the form of a stirring stick is non-buoyant in the bathing fluid.
 14. The bathing toy kit system of claim 1, wherein said decorative play elements are configured in the appearance of human organs.
 15. The bathing toy kit system of claim 1, wherein said decorative play elements are configured in the appearance of alphanumeric characters.
 16. The bathing toy kit system of claim 1, wherein there is further provided a container for storing said decorative play elements.
 17. The bathing toy kit system of claim 16, wherein said container is provided with ventilation holes. 